Mudadzho Musetha, a local actor from Munzhedzi village at Vleifontein, practically floated into the new year on Cloud Nine. For many years he had hoped and prayed that he too might make it on national television someday. His prayers were finally answered when he recently bagged a role on SABC 2's award-winning soapie Muvhango.
Musetha (35) has already made his debut appearance on the show, which was broadcast on 10 January this year. He plays the character of a mentally ill man, called Matamba.
During a telephonic interview with Limpopo Mirror, he was very excited to share how he feels about finally being on national television.
"If it wasn't for God who answered my prayers, I wouldn't be here right now. l always tell myself that this talent which God bestowed upon me will never fade. I'm grateful for the cast and crew of Muvhango, as they welcomed me and treated me like an angel. I have never been treated like that before. It was awesome! To tell the truth, acting like a crazy guy is not that simple, but I love that role. And I nailed it because I was ready for anything," he said excitedly.
Musetha believes that this role is going to educate millions of viewers on how to accept people with disabilities and live with them.
His passion was ignited eight years ago when he was first introduced to acting by his former producer, Musiiwa Mukubi from Ha-Maila Lagos. He first played the lead role in a movie, called Mudinda wa Mudzimu (a man of God), and several other dramas and comedies.
"We sat down and started discussing writing a drama, as he [Mukubi] had all the equipment. After our debut movie, I started taking my talent seriously because it was well received by many of our supporters," he said.
Musetha, who has no formal acting qualifications, honed his acting skills through workshops. He said that he wanted to inspire talented youths from his community and set an example for them that, if they worked hard enough, everything was achievable. He described his own journey as a difficult one, but through his perseverance and the support he got from his fans, friends and family, he pushed through.
"The first time was not easy, but l told myself that I will make it and change my community - especially our talented young kids. I want them to believe that they can start something great from nothing," he said.